Firefighter Hurt Battling Aurora Blaze

A firefighter was treated for a minor injury after responding to a fire in the 900 block of Deerpath Road on Wednesday, Aurora fire officials said. Fire crews responded to a 911 call that came in from a resident around 5:30 p.m., reporting a fire in a bedroom of the home. All occupants were already out of the home, according an Aurora Fire Department news release. The initial response was upgraded to a second alarm after fire crews saw a large amount of smoke upon arriving at the home. Due to a locked gate, firefighters deployed an attack line through the front door of the home. Crews from Truck Company 11 cut the lock, allowing another unit to deploy a second attack line to the rear and begin extinguishing flames that were extending up the vinyl siding, into the second floor and to the eaves of the roof.
Aurora Patch

Two injured after car drives through a travel agency in Peoria

Two were taken to the hospital after a Lexus SUV drove through a travel agency in a strip mall near University Street and Clarewood Avenue. According to the Peoria Fire Department, fire crews were dispatched to Direct Travel at approximately 1:47 p.m. and saw a vehicle in the building with an employee trapped inside. Crews worked to get the driver out of the vehicle and then worked to remove an employee who was stuck between the vehicle and a structural supporting wall. The employee had minor injuries. Both the driver and the employee were taken to the hospital. The property owner, Molly Gilles, said a company would be coming to safely clean the area and board up broken doors and windows. It is unknown when the business will reopen. City of Peoria Code Enforcement was also called to the scene to determine the structural damage to the building.
WMBD-TV CBS 31 Peoria

Normal Fire Department: 1 employee treated for minor smoke inhalation after fire at Rivian plant

1 person was treated for smoke inhalation but declined transport to the hospital after a fire at the Rivian plant in Normal. The Normal Fire Department says firefighters were already at the plant for an unrelated incident when the fire broke out around 11:30 a.m. Thursday. The fire was quickly extinguished with fire extinguishers. Employees were evacuated but have since been allowed back in. The fire started under a section of the conveyor that moves the vehicle chassis down the assembly line on the western side of the building. The exact cause is unknown. The department says the fire did not involve a vehicle or battery components. Damage was contained to the area where the fire began. It took an extended amount of time to ventilate the smoke from the building due to the plant’s size.
WEEK-TV NBC/ABC/CW+ 25 PEORIA

North Boone Fire Protection District invests in its future with youth program

VIDEO: A new program in Boone County was introduced to build a bright future for young people who want to become firefighters. North Boone Fire Protection District #3 already has a program for kids in high school called Explorer Post #2100. This teaches them about fire services and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and prepares students for a career in those fields if they choose to pursue one. The program introduced Tuesday evening is for kids younger than the high school age. Chief E.J. Dilonardo says North Boone Fire District #3 will work with the schools to approach students when they are in middle school. This approach to encouraging kids to work for their community as firefighters or EMS is embraced and supported by the International Association of Firefighters.
WIFR-TV CBS 23 Rockford

Peoria Fire Division Chief of Fire Prevention Nathaniel ’Nate’ Rice earns ‘Chief Fire Officer’ designation

A local Peoria Firefighter earned a new professional designation. According to the Peoria Fire Department, Peoria Fire Division Chief of Fire Prevention Nathaniel “Nate” Rice has achieved the Chief Fire Officer designation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. The Commission of Professional Credentialing met and conferred Rice’s designation on April 15. Rice is one of 1,892 Chief Fire Officers in the world, according to the Center for Public Safety Excellence. “Having this designation confirms that I am meeting the highest professional standards as a chief fire officer,” Rice said. “The affirmation by my peers from across the industry is honorable and I look forward to continuing professional growth to retain this designation.”
WMBD-TV CBS 31 Peoria